Folding bicycles



Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet of 8 Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet Filed Aug. 15. 1966 MW M I M Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet i of8 Filed Aug. 15, 1966 MWA fi XW Z I Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND 3,419,283

FOLDING BICYCLES Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Sheet 5 of8 1968 D. E. NEWLAND 3,

FOLDING BICYCLES Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Sheet 6' of 8 Fag. 7.

Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Fzgbb.

OM-M 9M1M4 M aww @MMZM 9 255 Dec. 31, 1968 D. E. NEWLAND FOLDING BICYCLES Sheet Filed Aug. 15, 1966 United States Patent 0 3,419,283 FOLDING BICYCLES David Edward Newland, Richmond, England (76 Ivy Park Road, Shefiield 10, England) Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,353

Claims priority, application Great Britain, Aug. 17, 1965, 35,305/ 65 13 Claims. (Cl. 280278) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to folding bicycles and is particularly applicable to pedal cycles.

According to the invention a folding bicycle has a frame comprising three members, the first extending from the handle-bars to the front wheel, the second extending from a first intersection where it intersects with the first member near the handle-bar end thereof to the rear wheel, and the third extending from a second intersection where it intersects with the first member near the wheel end thereof to the saddle, the second and third members intersecting at a third intersection, the three members lying substantially in the plane of the Wheels and being pivotally mounted together at two of said intersections and detachably mounted at the other intersection. Preferably the detachable mounting is at the second intersection.

Preferably detachment of the detachable mounting allows the frame to be pivoted so that the wheels are brought adjacent each other and with the saddle adjacent the wheels.

The detachable mounting may comprise a hook on one member which engages a spigot on the other member, the arrangement being such that the weight of the rider tends to keep the hook and spigot engaged. Preferably the detachable mounting includes a spring loaded catch which is manually releasable to detach the mounting.

Conveniently the bicycle is a rear-wheel drive pedal cycle, wherein the pedal crank is mounted at said third intersection, the detachable mounting being at the first or second intersection.

Preferably the handle-bars are folding, being mounted in a head-stock comprising two tubular supports mounted symmetrically with respect to the steering column with their axes converging forwardly of the bicycle, two tubular handle-bars being provided, each having, one end rotatably mounted in a respective headstock tube and being bent so that in an erect, operative, position the handle-bars extend from the forwards ends of the support tubes outwardly and then upwardly in converging fashion to a clamp position in which they are closely adjacent and from which they diverge substantially horizontally to terminate in hand-grips, a clamp at the clamp position being effective to clamp the handle-bars together in the erect position and being releasable to allow the handle-bars to swing down in their support tubes to respective folded positions.

Resilient suspension of the saddle with relation to the rear wheel may be effected by mounting the second and third members with respect to each other to allow a limited degree of resilient relative movement in said plane. Preferably, the resilient mounting is achieved by a rubber mounting element, conveniently a bush, at the pivot.

Preferably the arrangement is such that it is possible to wheel the bicycle on one or both wheels when it is folded and conveniently a carrier basket or bag is provided which either remains substantially upright as the bicycle is folded and maintained upright or which can be attached to the folded bicycle in an upright position. In this way the folded bicycle can be used by a pedestrian as a wheeled hand-cart for the carriage of parcels and the like.

The invention includes with its scope pedal cycles driven by chain and sprockets by the rear wheel or by the front wheel. When the drive is to the rear wheel the relative disposition of the pedals, handle-bars and saddle are substantially the same as with conventional pedal cycles, the pedals being only slightly forward of the saddle. With front wheel drive, however, the saddle position is lower and the pedals much further forward, being mounted above the front wheel. This arrangement has the advantage that the folded bicycle is even more compact than the rear-wheel drive version, the centre of gravity of the rider being lower and it being therefore possible to reduce the wheelbase.

The invention will further be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a rear-wheel drive pedal bicycle according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the bicycle of FIG- URE l folded;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of a front-wheel drive pedal bicycle according to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of a bicycle according to the invention in which two of the members are of framework construction;

FIGURES 4a and 4b being perspective views of the two framework members;

FIGURES 5a, 5b, and 50 show another bicycle according to the invention, the bicycle being shown erect in FIGURE 5a and folded in FIGURE 51) and the individual frame members being shown in perspective in FIG- URE 5c;

FIGURES 6a, 6b and 6c show a preferred bicycle in accordance with the invention, the bicycle being shown erect in FIGURE 6a and folded in FIGURE 6b and the individual frame members being shown in perspective in FIGURE 60;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional side elevation of the spring catch of the bicycle shown in FIGS. 6a-c; and

FIGURE 8 is a persrective view of the handle-bars of the bicycle shown in FIGS. 6a-c.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2 the bicycle comprises three elongate steel members 1, 2 and 3. Member 1 is tubular and carries at its upper end the handle-bars 4 and at its lower end the front-wheel 5, these being mounted respectively at the upper and lower ends of the steering column 6 which is rotatably mounted Within member 1.

Member 2 is bifurcated at its upper end and is pivoted at either side in a bearing '7 to member 1. Near its middle, member 2 passes between bifurcations of member 3 and is pivoted thereto with a pin 8. At its lower end member 2 carries the rear wheel 9 and between the wheel and the intersection with member 3 is mounted the bearing for the pedal cranks 10.

At its upper end member 3 is tubular and carries the saddle stem 11, the position of the saddle being adjustable by sliding the stem within member 3, a quick-release clamp having a thumb-grip 12 being provided. The aforementioned bifurcations of member 3 extend past the intersection with member 2 and terminate on either side of the lower end of member 1 in flat hooked portions 13. Two spigots having enlarged heads extend one from either side of member 1, one being shown at 15, and fit into the hook portions 13. The arrangement is such that the weight of the rider acting about pivot 8 keeps the spigots located in the hooks. A safety catch (not shown) is provided to hold the spigots in the hooks so that the cycle does not collapse when not in use.

In FIGURES 1 and 2 an alternative configuration for the upper part of member 3 is shown in broken lines at 3a. An alternative, higher, position of the saddle is also shown.

Springing of the rear wheel relative to the saddle is effected by means of rubber bushes in which pin 8 is mounted. The bushes are mounted one in member 2 and two in member 3 so as to allow resilient translational movement of the pin 8. Alternatively the bushes in member 3 or the bush in member 2 may be omitted. Springing of the front wheel relative to the handlebars is effected by having a divided steering column of which the two parts are splined together and arranging a compression coil spring between them, the handlebars themselves being thereby effectively mounted on the compression spring.

The bicycle is folded simply by detaching the hook portions 13 from the spigots 15, pivoting member 3 about pin 8 so that the saddle lies over the rear wheel and rolling the front wheel back towards the rear wheel. FIGURE 2 shows the cycle in the folded position and it will be seen that during folding only one point has to be detached, the machine remains upright and neither wheel need leave the ground. A clamp or clip (not shown) is provided to embrace the three members between bearing 7 and pin 8 to prevent unfolding. In the folded position the bicycle can be wheeled and is suitable for use as a handcart, a carrier bag 16 being attached to member 1 and being suitable for leaving in position as shown in full line or for reversing and remounting as shown in broken line at 16a. One or two side supports may be provided to constitute a stand for the handcart. They may even extend below the level of the front wheel so that the arrangement takes the form of a wheelbarrow. A free-wheel device is provided to prevent the pedals being driven around when the rear wheel is wheeled backwards. The pedals are hinged close to the cranks so as to fold flat against the cycle and prevent obstruction when being used as a handcart. For ease of folding the brakes are operated by flexible cable, as is the gear change, when provided. Alternatively the rear wheel brake may be constituted by a back-pedaling brake.

FIGURE 3 shows a front-wheel drive pedal cycle according to the invention, with saddle 17a, pedal crank a and rear wheel 9a of the cycle of FIGURES l and 2 being superimposed for the sake of comparison. It will be seen that the upper part of member 3 is more acutely angled and shorter and the position of the saddle 17 is lower. The pedal cranks 10 are mounted at the lower part of the steering column, immediately above the front forks. Furthermore, the rear wheel is smaller than the front wheel and the wheels of the cycle of FIGURES l and 2, being approximately 8" in overall diameter as compared with approximately 12. Such a small rear wheel is not practicable with a rear-wheel drive bicycle, because of the high gear ratio necessary between the pedals and the rear wheel, which would necessitate a chain wheel of inordinately large diameter.

Another difference of the FIGURE 3 arrangement, but one which does not arise as a result of the front wheel drive, is the construction of members 2 and 3. Member 2 is bifurcated over the length from bearing 7 to beyond the intersection with member 3. Member 3 is not bifurcated but passes between the two parts of member 2 and is now detachably fixed by a hook (not shown) to pin 8. A pivot 15a replaces the hook and spigot arrangement of FIGURES 1 and 2 and in order to fold the cycle the hook is detached from pin 8, the saddle swung to a position above the handlebars and the wheels are brought together.

The carrier bag is supported beneath the seat on a frame 10. For convenience a lifting handle 1-9 is provided beneath the seat. This position of the handle allows the bicycle to be guided by the same handle when in the folded position. As an alternative to the straight upper end of member 2 there is shown at 2a an end which is turned through a right-angle to facilitate folding the cycle.

FIGURE 4 shows a rear-wheel drive bicycle similar to that of FIGURES 1 and 2 except that members 2 and 3 (shown in perspective in FIGURES 4a and 4b respectively) are of framework construction. Each member is composed of small diameter steel tubes joined by brazing or welding to bracing members 21 and spacers 22. Member 2 fits within member 3 and has a tube 23 which cooperates with holes 24 in bracing plates 25 on member 3 to accept the pivot pin 8. Brackets 26 and 27 at the top and bottom of member 1 respectively provide anchorages for pivot 7 and spigots 15.

In the bicycle shown in FIGURES Sa-c all three members (shown individually in FIGURE 5c) have a framework structure, member 1 having framework extensions 1a and 1b at top and bottom respectively which extend substantially perpendicularly to the steering column in a rearward direction. The intersection at the end 30 of extension In is pivoted and at end 31 of extension 11; the mounting is detachable. The folded bicycle is shown in FIGURE 5b.

The bicycle shown in FIGURES 6a-c is a preferred form of the invention and differs from the FIGURES 5a-c arrangement principally in that the pivot between members 2 and 3 coincides with the pedal crank mount. Member 3 includes a long tubular column which accommodates the saddle stem at its upper end, reinforced by a curved member 32. A pin 33 is housed in an upwardly opening slot 34 to constitute the detachable mount, the pin being retained in the slot by a spring catch 35. A steel wire 36 links members 1 and 2 to prevent the front wheel rolling forwards when catch is released. The handlebars fold, and spring clips 37 are provided, one on each side of the front carrier, to secure the handlebars in their folded positions. This mechanism has the additional advantage of preventing the front wheel from rotating about the steering column axis during the folding operation, thereby making folding easier. The spring clips 37 may alternatively be mounted one on each side of the front forks. A spring-loaded carrying handle 38 is provided, mounted on member 3. This is positioned so that, when the bicycle is folded, it engages with the slot 34 at the lower end of member 1, and is secured in position by the spring catch 35. The carrying handle 38 thus serves to lock the bicycle in its folded position. The bearing at the pedal crank axle is an oil-impregnated sintered bronze bush.

FIGURE 7 shows the part of the member 1 which carries the catch 35, the catch comprising a locking member 39 with a slightly inclined face 40 which is urged into the locked position where it retains pin 33 on member 3 by a coil spring 41. A knob 35a allows manual release of the catch.

FIGURE 8 shows the folding handlebars which are constituted by two tubes 42, 43 mounted rotatably in respective tube supports 44 which are substantially horizontal and incline towards each other in the forward direction. The handlebars are bent so that in the erect position shown they extend upwardly from the headstock and converge. At the top is a clamp 45 which in the position shown locks the handlebars in place but which can be disengaged to free the handlebars from each other and allow them to assume the folded positions shown in FIGURE 6b.

The invention is not limited to the details of the several embodiments hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, the springing may be omitted altogether or on the other hand other forms of springing may be devised. The handlebars, for example, may be composed of a rigid T-section in which parts carry the hand-grips are rotatably mounted and are tor sionally sprung by coil-springs within the T-section. Rapid adjustment of the steering column height may be effected by a quick-release clamp similar to that used for the saddle. In this way the cycle may be made even more compact when folded.

The members need not be made of steel or be of the configurations shown. They may be of a light alloy extruded or pressed and joined together by brazing or welding or by an adhesive. They may alternatively be made of synthetic materials, either thermoplastics or glass-fibre plastics. A particular advantage of the framework construction of the invention is its suitability for plastic construction, using thermoplastic mouldings, since the depth of the mouldings is suflicient to provide adequate strength and rigidity. The members need not be substantially straight but may be curved. Any of the three pivot points (the intersections of members 1, 2 and 3) may be made detachable, folding being effected by pivoting about the other two points.

It is further envisaged that one or both of the pivot axes may be skewed slightly from the perpendicular to the plane of the members, thereby allowing parts of the bicycle, for example, the wheels, to overlap in the folded position so that the folded bicycle occupies a smaller space.

It will be appreciated that the invention is primarily applicable to bicycles having small wheelsnamely of overall diameter less than about 20" and preferably in the neighbourhood of 12". With 12" wheels a cycle as shown in FIGURES 6ac suitable for an adult (of either sex, the cycle being equally suitable for both) may be folded to have overall dimensions of about 36" x 20" x For the sake of illustration the folded bicycle is shown in FIGURES 5b and 6b within an outline M representative of the internal configuration of the boot of a Mini-Minor car. Being in addition light in weight, the cycle may therefore be readily carried or pushed in buildings and up stairs.

I claim:

1. A folding bicycle having a frame comprising three members, the first extending from the handle-bars to the front wheel, the second extending from a first intersection where it intersects with the first member near the handlebar end thereof to the rear wheel, and the third extending from a second intersection where it intersects with the first member near the wheel end thereof to the saddle, the second and third members intersecting at a third intersection, the three members lying substantially in the plane of the wheels and being pivotally mounted together at two of said intersections and detachably mounted at the other intersection.

2. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable mounting is at the second intersection.

3. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detachable mounting is at the third intersection.

4. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein detachment of the detachable mounting allows the frame to be pivoted so that the wheels are brought adjacent each other.

5. A bicycle as claimed in claim 4 wherein detachment of the detachable mounting further allows the frame to be pivoted so that the saddle is brought adjacent the wheels.

6. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detachable mounting comprises a hook on one member which engages a spigot on the other member, the arrangement being such that the weight of the rider tends to keep the hook and spigot engaged.

7. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detachable mounting comprises a spring loaded catch which is manually releasable to detach the mounting.

8. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 which is a rearwheel drive pedal cycle, wherein the pedal crank is mounted at said third intersection, the detachable mounting being at the first or second intersection.

9. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first member comprises the steering column and two members extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom a short distance towards the rear wheel, said first and second intersections being respectively at the ends of the upper and lower of the two members remote from the steering column.

10. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third member is a bifurcated structure through which the second member passes at the third intersection.

11. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second member is a bifurcated structure through which the third member passes at the third intersection.

12. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third member is a frame structure including a tubular saddle column within which the saddle post is adjustably slidable.

13. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handlebars are mounted in a head-stock comprising two tubular supports mounted symmetrically with respect to the steering column with their axes converging forwardly of the bicycle, two tubular handlebars being provided, each having one end rotatably mounted in a respective head-stock tube and being bent so that in an erect, operative, position the handle-bars extend from the forward ends of the support tubes outwardly and then upwardly in converging fashion to a clamp position in which they are closely adjacent and from which they diverge substantially horizontally to terminate in hand-grips, a clamp at the clamp position being effective to clamp the handlebars together in the erect position and being releasable to allow the bandlebars to swing down in their support tubes to respective folded positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,428,496 9/1922 Villeneuve 280278 1,610,016 12/1926 Kuchta 280278 2,910,130 10/1959 Schlaphoif 280287 X 3,294,416 12/1966 Carnielli 280278 FOREIGN PATENTS 927,215 4/ 1947 France.

KENNETH H. BETTS, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

